Grote Markt, Haarlem

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This is certainly the most elegant building of the Grote Markt. The Haarlem town authorities wanted a rich decorated meat market, a real prestige building and that is what the town architect Lieven de Key (one of the many Flemish immigrants) provided in 1604 by using much natural stone in combination with bricks.
The style of the Vleeshal is described by some as "Hollands Renaissance" because of the many ornaments; "manierist" style is also used.

Regulations inside the Vleeshal were very strict: no slaughtering, no walking around, no playing and, very understandable, dogs were strictly prohibited. The rent for the butcher was high: 30 florins per year.

The Vleeshal as well as the Verweyhal are now an annexe of the Frans Hals museum under the name "De Hallen". On the time of my visit to Haarlem, I was lucky that the temporary exhibition was on Isaac Israel a very good Dutch impressionist. The theme of the exhibition was "Israels on the beach". This exhibition stops already on 19/08/2007. I have joined some photos.
Next exhibition from 01.09.2007 to 25.11.2007 will show works from 15 young artists from Europe and the USA with the theme "The present order is the disorder of the future".

Alongside the St-Bavo church, left from the main entrance, is a low building from 1796 which was once the fish market and is now an exhibition hall for modern art.

Before this modern "vishal" existed an older one from 1603 also next to the church as shown by this painting from 1692 by Gerrit Adriaensz Berckheyde (see photo).
One would ask why put a fish market, and its odours at a period were refrigeration was not common, next to a church?

It happens that on this side of the church the fish market was always in the shadow of the high church building what was obviously better for the freshness of the fish.
The painting shows very well the contrast between this part in the shadow and the town hall of Haarlem, in the back of the painting, well in the sun.

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When you look at this painting of the Grote Markt in 1696 by Gerrit Berckheyde and a photo made this summer there is not so much difference.
What is different is the statue of Laurens Coster, the bicycles instead of horses and the Verweyhal (build in1880) next to the Vleeshal.

Together with the Vleeshal (building next to the Verweyhal) this is a dependence of the Frans Hals museum. The name of Verweyhal and Vleeshal together is "De Hallen."

The Verweyhal was built in 1879 - 1880 for the gentlemen society "Trou moet Blijcken".

It was designed bij architect A.J. van Beek din neo-classicist style. The building was sold to Town Council in 1922.
In 1924 a bank moved into the building. They renovated it in Art Deco style.

After that the building was used as an office for municipal services.

In 1992 it was transformed into an exhibition hall for the Frans Hals Museum. The building then got it's name. It was named after famous Haarlem painter Kees Verwey (1900 -1995).

The museum shows expositions of modern art. Sometimes a selection of classic-modern art from the Frans Hals museum is exposed also. Since 2001 most of the expositions exist from modern photographie.

Open:
Tuesday : 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sundays : 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Public holidays: 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Closed: 25 December and 1 January

Entrance:
Adults :Euro 4,00
65+ :Euro 2,70
Groups : Euro 2,70 p.p.
Children: Free

The museum is partially accessible for wheelchairs.

Together with the Verweyhal (building next to the Vleeshal), this is a dependence of the Frans Hals museum. The name of Vleeshal and Verweyhal together is "De Hallen."

The Vleeshal (meathall) has been build in Dutch Renaissance style. It's designed by town architect Lieven de Key and built in 1602-1604. Today it's an unesco monument (world herritage).

The Oxhead decorations on the outside of the hall are symbols of its original function: It was the only place meat could be sold.

After 1840 the building was used by the Rijksarchief (Public Record Office). Since the 1950s it has been used for exhibitions.

The museum shows expositions of modern art. Sometimes a selection of classic-modern art from the Frans Hals museum is exposed also. Since 2001 most of the expositions exist from modern photographie.

Open:
Tuesday : 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday :11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sundays : 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Public holidays: 12 noon - 5 p.m.
Closed: 25 December and 1 January

Entrance:
Adults :Euro 4,00
65+ :Euro 2,70
Groups : Euro 2,70 p.p.
Children: Free

The museum is partially accessible for wheelchairs.

In the basement of the Vleeshal Archeological findings from Haarlem
are showed . The museum may be small, but when you are on the Grote Markt it's definitely worth to pay a visit to this museum.

It's nice, because it tells you about the history of Haarlem and typical Dutch and Haarlem findings (objects) are exposed here. The first findings date from the stone age.

There is also a childrens corner. Archeological findings from local children are exposed there.

Open:
Wednesday - Sunday:
1.00pm-5.00pm

Entrance:
Free

De Vishal is a beautifull exposition space of The Haarlem association of art. All members work as an artist on proffesional basis. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and so on are exposed here.

It was built at the north side of the Grote or Sint Bavo cathedral in 1769.

Open:
Tuesday - Saturday: 11.00 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday: 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Entrance:
Free (?)

The first thing you must see is the townsquare of Haarlem 'Grote Markt'. It has beautiful buildings surrounding it like the Bavo church, the cityhall and the Vleeshal and Vischhal. In summer you also can sit at the market on a terrace. Sometimes the funfair, the market or other activities (like the culinair festival) take place on the 'Grote Markt'.

After walking around for a few hours enjoying the Haarlem historic sights we came to Grote Markt. A huge square with Grote Kerk dominating the scene with a supporting cast of magnificent historic buildings defining the square.

Many of the buildings now have resturants and cafes operating from the ground floor. Make your choice, they all have outdoor tables providing excellent view of the Grote Markt & Kerk.

We chose the Dutch Applecake with coffee. Far too much for one person, but we ordered one each and managed not to leave any for the hovering pidgeons.

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We visited Haarlem on an overcast day late August 2013. Not an ideal day for photos but pleasant enough to walk this small city.
The Stadhuis is located on Grote Markt at the opposite end to the Grote Kerk (St Bavo's).
The day we visited much of the building was covered for renovations, however we were able to appreciate the grandness of the building built 1690.
The Stadhuis is open to the public 9am to 4pm , Monday to Friday. Not open Saturday and Sunday.